Venetian blind



1953 c. w. FERREIRA VENETIAN BLIND 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed Oct. 8, 1951INVENTOR. CHARLESWFERRHRA,

Jan. 13, 1953 c. w. FERREIRA VENETIAN BLIND 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed Oct.8, 1951 INVENTOR.

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CHARLES W. FERRElRA, BY 6. gawk 05A.

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Patented Jan. 13, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VENETIAN BLINDCharles William Ferreira, Miami, .Fla., assignor to Edward L. Denison,Miami, Fla.

Application October 8, 1951, Serial No. 250,349

4 Claims. I

This invention relates to improvements in closure devices and hasparticular reference to that type of closure device generally recognizedas Venetian blinds.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a Venetianblind that is operatively assembled in a rigid frame of predetermineddimensions for detachable mounting within an opening to be covered, withthe blind comprising a group of parallel slats that are simultaneouslyangularly tiltable to varying degrees and with the group of slats beingshiftable to parallel nested position for exposing the major opening ofthe frame without the use of the conventional tapes and cords ascommonly employed in the well known Venetian blind assembly.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a closuredevice of the Venetian blind type, having a rigid square or rectangularframe of predetermined size in which is adjustably supported groups ofparallel slats, either of metal or wood and either fiat or convex andwhich may be arranged on a horizontal axis or a vertical axis to besimultaneously tilted without the use of cords common to the well knownVenetian blinds, with each group being shiftable to nested parallelposition or the several groups being shiftable to a nested position atthe top of the frame or to one end of the frame, depending on themounting arrangement.

The invention contemplates novel means within the frame for retainingthe several slats in properly spaced relation for tilting movement inunison, such novel means being of a flexible nature that permits thebodily shifting of the several slats of the groups and the severalgroups to a position of nesting engagement at one extremity of the frameto be held against accidental shifting.

The invention further contemplates novel connecting means between theseveral slats, whereby a tilting of one slat will cause a correspondingand identical tilting to all the slats.

A further and important object of the invention resides in the novelframe construction that is easily and cheaply constructed, provides asimple and easily detachable cover for the operating mechanism of theslats, with the cover constructed in such manner as to haveinterengagement with a cover of an adjacent closure device when two ormore such devices are arranged in end to end relation, thus providing inefiect an uninterrupted mullion type frame having individually operableblinds.

other novel features of construction and operation will be readilyapparent during the course of the following description, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, wherein has been illustrated apreferred form of the device and where like characters of reference areemployed to denote like parts throughout.

Referring to the drawings- Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating aclosure device constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of one end of the device,illustrating a detachable cover plate in dotted lines,

Figure 3 is an end view of the device, with the cover plate removed andshowing the mechanism in tilted position,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary end view of the upper end of the device,showing the mechanism in tilted position to fully closed engagement,

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but showing the several slatoperating means shifted to nested position,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 6-6 of Figure1,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary horizontal section, taken on line 1-1 ofFigure 1 and,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the end of one slat.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 5 indicates a rigidframe as a whole, embodying a channel header 6 and a channel sill l. Thechannels 6 and 1 are rigidly held in spaced parallel relation by jambplates 8, riveted or otherwise connected to the header and sill, asindicated at 9. The plates 8 are coextensive in width to the channels 6and 1 and have their vertical edges l0 angularly bent inwardly for thefull length of the plates. The plates and operating mechanisms to belater described, are identical at both ends of the frame 5. Cover platesof stepped cross-sectional area, indicated at ll, are co-extensive inlength with the plates 8. The covers have their vertical edges outwardlyflared on an angle corresponding to the angle of the edges Ill and, atassembly, the sides of the covers are pressed inwardly to permit theflared edges to grip behind the edges Ill, where they will be firmlyheld against displacement accidentally. As clearly shown in Figure 1,the covers are reversible so as to have an interfitting engagement withthe cover plates of an adjacent closure device, providing in effect, amullion type closure.

Each plate 8 is vertically and centrally slotted at 12, for the rockingand vertical shifting movepermost trunnion 3 to serve as a bearing to apositively retain the uppermost slat against shifting vertically withinthe slot. All of the other trunnions and their supported slats arevertically shiftable in the slot in a manner be presently described.

Means are provided to simultaneously-rock the several trunnions andtheir supported slats to varying degrees of angularity, consisting offlexible cables 18, carrying identically spaced rings I9 that engageover the cranks l6, as clearly shown. The cranks may be struck with asuitable tool to provide lugs upon each side of the several rings toprevent disengagement. Since the uppermost trunnion is held againstvertical shifting movement, the identical spacing of the several ringswill accurately support the several slats in properly spaced parallelposition for tilting movement. Certain of the slats are provided withpreferably serrated thumb pieces 20 to facilitate the angular rockingmotion of the slats. Since no cords or tapes are employed for thecontrol of the slats, as is common in the conventional Venetian blinds,it follows, that the operator must adjust the slats through the mediumof the thumb pieces 20. It will therefore be apparent, that rocking ofany slat will impart an identical motion to all the slats, through themedium of the cranks and cables l6 and 18, with one cable movingdownwardly and the other moving upwardly, depending on the motion of theslat. Thus, it will be seen, that the blind slats l are capable ofpivotal movement to any desired angle to a full contacting closure ormay be bodily shifted vertically to control of the opening.

It becomes necessary to provide a means for retaining the blinds inelevated position in the absence of the conventional cords and, toaccomplish this, a flexible metallic wire has been anchored upon the endplates 8, this wire being indicated as a whole by the numeral 21. Thewire is formed to provide definite sockets 22, equidistantly spaced atthe identical spacing of the trunnions l3. Each socket 22 overlies theslot 12, as indicated in Figure 3 and the several trunnions havingsnapping engagement therein when in the fully extended position. Thus,the sockets provide an additional bearing for the trunnions and serve tomore evenly support the slats against any tendency to twist when beingtilted to an angular position. From socket to socket, the wire is formedin a wide circular form, as at 23 and intermediate each socket 22, thecurved portions 23 of the wire are anchored upon the plate 8, by tabs24, struck from the plate and bent to engaging position over the wire.The terminalends of the wire 2| are bent at a right angle and engagebehind the angle edges of the plate 8. With the wire 2| being formed ofspring material, it will be apparent that the several trunnions will bereleasably held in the sockets 22 with sufiicient pressure to overcomethe tendency of the slat to twist when operated at one end only.

With the flexible spring sockets 22, the operator may, by grasping theopposite ends of the lowermost slat, elevate as many slats as may befound desirable, lifting them upwardly with sufiicient force as to causetheir trunnions 13 to disengage therefrom. The slats that are elevated,will naturally pile together in parallel engagement and, when asufficient number of slats have been elevated, they may be released andthe lowermost trunnions will be supported either in the sockets 22 orupon the outer extremety of the socket, thus supporting the above nestedslats. As the slats are elevated, the cables 18 will naturally becomeslack and loop outwardly, in themanner illustrated in Figure 5. For acomplete elevation of all the slats, the lowermost slat is grasped andthe entire group of slats elevated to the position shown in Figure 5,thus exposing the major opening of the frame 5.

As before pointed out, the operating mechanism, including the trunnions,l3, cranks l6, cables and rings [8 and I9 and wire 2! are identical atboth ends of the frame and are supported upon the plates 8 in anidentical manner.

While the device here illustrated has been shown with the slats mountedupon a horizontal axis, it will be apparent, that the device may bearranged with the slats operating on a vertical axis, in which case, theoperating mechanism as previoush described upon the plates 8, will becarried in a very similar manner upon the header and sill. Verticallymounted slats are very desirable under certain conditions and it isintended that this application shall include such an arrangement.

In the assembly of the device, the tongue l"! is bent at a right anglefrom the plate 8 at each end of the frame and the several cranks andtrunnions inserted through the slots 12. The uppermost slat is shiftedupwardly to the limit of the slot I2 and the tongues I'I bent inwardlytherebeneath, thus definitely establishing the position of the slat.After the other cranks and trunnions have been engaged through the slotsl2 and positioned in the sockets 22,

I the several cables I 8 are installed and their rings fixed againstdisplacement. The cover plates H are then snapped into position and theblind is ready for installation in a window or other opening, either asa unit or in multiple and detachably locked in position. The thumbpieces 20 may be of any desired configuration and are preferably securedto a particular slat or slats by the same rivets It as are employed tosecure the trunnions. Thus, rocking of the slats through the medium ofthe thumb pieces, will exert no unnecessary twisting action upon theslats, since the force will be transmitted directly to the trunnions.This is particularly desirable when employing slats formed of lightgauge metal.

It will be apparent from the foregoing, that an extremely simple andhighly practicable Venetian blind structure has been provided. Thedevice embodies all of the desirable features of the conventionalVenetian blind, yet avoids the use of the ,for the control of light andair or they may be progressively lifted to a position of nestingenagement. The device is extremely cheap to manufacture and requires aminimum of equipment for forming and assembling. The device is strong,durable and highly efiective for the purposes noted.

It is to be understood, that the invention is not limited to the precisestructure and arrangement, but that various changes in the shape, sizeand number of units employed may be resorted to as clearly fall withinthe spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A slatted closure device including an open rigid frame consisting ofa channel header and a channel sill, end panels rigidly connected to theheader and sill, the end panels being centrally and vertically slottedand their vertical edges angled inwardly, a plurality of slats arrangedin the frame in parallel overlapping relation for horizontal tilting andvertical shifting motion, trunnions riveted to the opposite ends of eachslat and projecting through the panel slots, crank arms formed on theouter ends of each trunnion, common flexible connectors between each setof cranks whereby a tilting of one slat will impart an identical tiltingto all the slats, means formed on the end panels for axially pivotallypositioning the uppermost slat and its trunnions against shiftingmovement, a yieldable member having identically spaced sockets that issupported upon the outer face of each end panel. the spacing of thesockets corresponding to the spacing of the slats when in fully extendedcovering position in the frame, thumb pieces carried by certain of theslats to impart tilting motion, the several slats being progressivelyshiftable upwardly for exposing the opening of the frame, the slats whenshifted upwardly lying in parallel nesting engagement with uppermostslat with the lowermost slat and its trunnions having yieldable restingsupport upon the yieldable member and a cover device co-extensive withthe end panels and having detachable connection with the angled edges ofthe end panels.

2. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein the yieldable support isformed of a section of spring wire bent to form spaced notched socketsfor the rotative reception of the trunnions, the several socketsoverlying the slots of the end panels and yieldable to permit theshifting of the trunnions to and from engagement in the sockets, thewire being supported upon the end panels at spaced points throughout itslength.

3. A slatted closure device that includes an open frame embodying achannel header and a channel sill and connected end panels, the endpanels being centrally and vertically slotted, the vertical edges of thepanels being angled inwardly,

a plurality of slats arranged in the frame in parallel equidistantlyspaced relation to partake of axial horizontal tilting motionsimultaneously, trunnions fixed upon the opposite ends of each slat andprojecting through the slots of the end panels, each trunnion providedwith a pair of spaced crank arms outwardly of the end panels, flexiblecables connected to each group of corresponding crank arms, the cablesin fully extended position serving to accurately space the slats whenthe slats are in the fully extended covering position in the frameopening, the uppermost slat and its trunnions and cranks being heldagainst movement vertically in the slot by a tongue struck from thepanel and bent to a position beneath the trunnions, a yieldable devicethat consists of a length of spring wire bent to form notched socketsthat are spaced corresponding to the spacing of the trunnions when theslats are fully extended, the sockets overlying the panel slots andserving to yieldably receive the trunnions for rotative support thereof,the wire being curved from socket to socket with each curved sectionbeing anchored by tabs to the end panels, certain of the slats providedwith serrated thumb pieces anchored thereto at the point of connectionof the trunnions, a tilting of one slat imparting an identical tiltingof all the slats through the medium of the flexible cables, the slatsbeing progressively shiftable upwardly with the trunnions progressivelysnapping past the yieldable sockets and yieldably supported in adjustedposition upon a selected socket, the slats being shiftable to a positionof parallel nested engagement with the uppermost slatj for exposing themajor opening of the frame with the trunnions of the lowermost slatbeing yieldably supported upon the uppermost socket, cover devices forthe end panels that are coextensive therewith, the cover devices beingstepped in horizontal cross-section with its vertical edges flaredoutwardly, the cover being flexible for snapping engagement of theflared edges behind the angled edges of the end panels.

4. The structure as recited in claim 3, wherein the several cables areof identical length and provided at their ends and at equldistantlyspaced points with rings that engage over the crank arms and meansformed on the crank arms to prevent disengagement of the rings.

CHARLES WILLIAM FERREIRA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,112,262 Barlow et a1 Mar. 29,1938 2,167,840 Hepworth Aug. 1, 1939 2,207,605 Wolfe July 9, 19402,324,536 Pratt July 20, 1943

